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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Pentax 645D front
Portability
50
Imaging
75
Features
52
Overall
65

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced April 2008
  • Successor is Nikon D3S
Pentax 645D
(Full Review)
  • 40MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Pentax 645AF2 Mount
  • 1480g - 156 x 117 x 119mm
  • Revealed March 2010
  • Later Model is Pentax 645Z
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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Nikon D3 versus Pentax 645D, both Pro DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and 645D (40MP) and the D3 (Full frame) and 645D (Medium format) come with totally different sensor size.

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The D3 was released 23 months prior to the 645D which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the D3 grades vs the 645D in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Pentax 645D

 D3 645D 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax 645D over the Nikon D3

 645D D3 
RevealedMarch 2010April 2008More modern by 23 months

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Pentax 645D

 D3 645D 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D3 provides outer dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") and a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) whilst the Pentax 645D has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7") and a weight of 1480 grams (3.26 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D3 versus Pentax 645D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the D3 vs the 645D.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D3 and 645D is 50 and 50 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3 and 645D.

Clearly, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D3 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax 645D will offer more detail as a result of its extra 28 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged D3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax 645D Portrait photography advice
63
manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
77
focusing manually
high MP (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax 645D as a Street photography camera
54
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
58
sensor size is large (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography factors
Pentax 645D Sports photography factors
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
great battery power (4,300 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
62
high MP (40 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery (800 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography information
Pentax 645D Travel photography information
51
great battery power (4,300 per charge)
environment proof
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment sealing
high MP (40 megapixels)
bad battery (800 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography features
Pentax 645D Landscape photography features
67
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
great battery power (4,300 shots)
has dual storage slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax 645AF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
high MP (40MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
no anti-alias filter
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
bad battery (800 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax 645D as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon D3 vs Pentax 645D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Pentax 645D
 Nikon D3Pentax 645D
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3 Pentax 645D
Type Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-04-18 2010-03-10
Physical type Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Medium format
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 44 x 33mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 1,452.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 40 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4256 x 2832 7264 x 5440
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax 645AF2
Available lenses 309 6
Focal length multiplier 1 0.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 922 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle and with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.85x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s 1/125s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300g (2.87 lb) 1480g (3.26 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 81 82
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 24.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 12.6
DXO Low light rating 2290 1262
Other
Battery life 4300 images 800 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $5,450 $4,000